What your cravings are trying to tell you

Cravings are something we all experience — a sudden, intense desire for something sweet, salty, crunchy, or comforting. They can feel urgent and specific, and sometimes completely overwhelming.

They’re often framed as a lack of discipline or a sign that something has gone “wrong” with our eating. But cravings are rarely about willpower. And they’re not really about hunger either.

Cravings are information.

What cravings actually are

A craving is usually characterised by intensity and specificity. It’s not a general sense of hunger, but a strong pull toward a particular food or sensation. Because of this, cravings tend to sit more in the realm of emotional and psychological hunger than physical need.

This is why cravings can make us feel out of control, frustrated, or even angry with ourselves. We’re trying to respond to a message we haven’t yet learned how to interpret.

Cravings aren’t black and white. They’re deeply bio-individual, and they rarely have a single cause.

Cravings can have many roots

Rather than meaning one thing, cravings often arise from a combination of physical, emotional, and environmental factors. They may reflect something simple, like dehydration or under-eating, or something more subtle, such as emotional depletion or unmet needs off the plate.

Some common influences include:

• Physical cues, like not eating enough, inconsistent meals, or low energy

• Nutrient imbalances, which can affect appetite, blood sugar, and satiety

• Hormonal shifts, including menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause

• Seasonal and environmental changes, as the body seeks balance

• Food history, recent eating experiences, or long-standing patterns

• Emotional states, such as stress, boredom, loneliness, or even happiness

This is why trying to “override” cravings often backfires. When we ignore or suppress them, we miss the message — and the craving usually comes back louder.

Emotional cravings and primary needs

Many cravings aren’t about food at all, but about what food is standing in for.

We might crave sweetness when we’re craving pleasure or ease. Crunch when we’re holding tension. Comfort foods when we’re tired, lonely, or emotionally stretched. Food can quietly step in to meet needs that aren’t being met elsewhere.

For some of us, food was linked early on with reward, comfort, or connection. For others, deprivation — physical or emotional — can intensify desire. The more we restrict or suppress a craving, the more power it can take on.

Again, this isn’t a personal failing. It’s a learned response.

A more mindful way of listening

When approached with curiosity rather than judgment, cravings can become a way of reconnecting with the body rather than battling it.

Instead of asking “How do I get rid of this?” we might begin with:

• What is this craving asking for?

• What’s happening in my body, my energy, or my emotional life right now?

• What might actually support me in this moment — on or off the plate?

This shift alone can soften the intensity of cravings and help rebuild trust in your internal cues.

Cravings aren’t interruptions to your wellbeing. They’re signals — and learning how to listen to them is part of developing a calmer, more compassionate relationship with food.

I explore cravings as part of a wider conversation about mindful eating, emotional awareness, and body connection — through my writing, my podcast, and with my 1:1 clients.

If this piece resonates, you’ll find more reflections on food, cravings, and self-trust throughout the site.